writing process

October 17, 2022 Content Chat Recap: How Content Marketers Can Set a Better Writing Foundation

October 19, 2022 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

The time it takes to finish a writing project depends on multiple factors that are completely within our control. Too often, writers fail to do the necessary preparation work—eagerly opting to begin writing without researching their topic, outlining their thoughts, or gaining client approval—or we let common distractors stop us from creating great content. When we commit to overcoming these challenges, though, we can consistently create incredible work easier than we ever thought possible.

In this #ContentChat recap we explain how content marketers can set a better writing foundation with Anne Janzer (@AnneJanzer), an award-winning author, nonfiction writing coach, and marketing practitioner.

Learn more about Anne’s The Writer’s Process and The Writer’s Process Workbook, and read the full recap below to learn:

How to find inspiration for your writing
Ways to efficiently review your content
Tips for strengthening your writing skills

Q1: What does your writer’s process look like?

The community shares their writer’s processes below. Most of us start a new writing project by conducting research, outlining our content, and freewriting to get our initial thoughts down. Then we start writing the ugly first draft, conduct more research to fill in gaps, and finally conduct a full review.

A1: My personal process has multiple parts:
Freewriting
Research (as needed)
Outline/structure notes
Ugly first draft
Revise
Polish and publish
If I lump them together or skip one, I regret it. #ContentChat
— Anne Janzer (@AnneJanzer) October 17, 2022

A1: The simplified version:
– Topic ideation/agreement (for a client piece)
– Keyword research to inform structure/understand intent
– Outline
– Draft
– Edits
TL:DR; Never start with a blank page! #ContentChat
— Maddy Osman (French) (@MaddyOsman) October 17, 2022

A1a: For my book, I started with a rough outline, starting with the sections, then the chapters I knew I wanted to include. I sort of jumped around a lot while I was writing depending on where my mind was at. #ContentChat
— Andi Robinson (@hijinxmarketing) October 17, 2022

A1b: From a physical process perspective, I wrote on the weekends and breaks. And usually from a @McDonalds (with a large Diet Coke and cookies) or from another restaurant or similar location. #ContentChat
— Andi Robinson (@hijinxmarketing) October 17, 2022

A1c: When it comes to my blog posts, I usually have an idea or thought and just start writing. Sometimes on my phone, sometimes on my laptop. Usually in the evenings or on weekends. I don’t really have much of a standard process for blogs. #ContentChat
— Andi Robinson (@hijinxmarketing) October 17, 2022

A1: PHEW haha!
Observation (may include eavesdropping. Plz don’t judge. I have sharp ears)
Hypothesis
Research
Outline
Beat myself up over introductions
Writer, edit, rewrite
Publish #ContentChat
— Vuh-suun-dher-ah (She/Her) (@ThisDhara) October 17, 2022

A1: It starts with:
– Keyword research (to double check if it’s been awhile since I pulled the analytics reports).
then outlining, then drafts, then revisions, then adding visualizations, then proofread, then publish! 😊#ContentChat
— Sweepsify (@Sweepsify_) October 17, 2022

A1:
-Preliminary research
-Start sourcing SME
-Outline with headers, subheaders, bullets, and stats
-More research
-Write (body > conclusion > intro)
-Edit (my work is always v. messy prior to edits, a few rounds of edits polish it off and pull it together!)#ContentChat
— Dana Nicole | SaaS Writer + SEO (@dana_nic0le) October 17, 2022

A1: Writing process:
Write words.
Tell stories.
Make someone smile.
Sometimes all for me 😉
Not a whole lot of process involved. Write. That’s the key. #contentChat https://t.co/9ygg5M90WS
— Kathryn Lang – hopesmith and dream ignitor (@Kathrynclang) October 17, 2022

A1: I’m not sure I have much of a “process” exactly but:
1. structure and format what I’m going to write mentally first.
2. let this sit and continue to think of sub topics of the main topic
3. write out my introduction then my subheadings
4. Edit as I go#ContentChat
— Benjamin Katz (@BKatz301) October 17, 2022

A1: My writer’s process can be a bit scattered:
– Research
– Create a rough outline w/ headers and subheads
– Build out body (starting with sections that I feel more prepared to discuss)
– More research to fill in gaps
– Tackle intro and conclusion
– Full review#ContentChat
— Alek Irvin (@AlekIrvin) October 17, 2022

Q2: Where do you find inspiration for your writing? Are there specific times, places, or activities that spark your inspiration?

July 25, 2022 Content Chat Recap: How to Be A More Productive Writer

August 1, 2022 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

A writer is often their own greatest enemy, letting self-doubt or a lack of structure stop them from writing efficiently… or at all. But there are plenty of ways to train yourself each day and set up systems to be a more productive writer.

In this #ContentChat, we’re joined by Kathryn Lang (@KathrynCLang), speaker, author, and teacher, to explore how to maximize our writing productivity and overcome common challenges that writers face. Read the full recap below to learn:

Ways to overcome writer’s block
Tools for writing efficiently
Tips to create more content faster

Q1: What is your biggest blocker or procrastination point when it comes to not writing? Bonus points for sharing how you most frequently procrastinate!

There are many things that stop us from writing, including not knowing how long a project will take…

A1: Biggest procrastination point: Never knowing how long it’s going to take. Some content takes hours while other content you can create in under an hour.#contentchat
— Sweepsify (@Sweepsify_) July 25, 2022

Finding the time to write when our schedule is already packed…

A1: Often, when I’m not able to get around to writing, it’s because I have too many to-dos on my mind that keep creeping into focus and demanding my attention.
Then I push it all aside and procrastibake something.#ContentChat https://t.co/hwEYVdAJfm
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Consultant (@SFerika) July 25, 2022

Finding the time to write, blocking the time, opening docs then staring into the infinite scrolling of one app or another looking for inspiration #contentchat
— Thomas Broadus (@TbroOnline) July 25, 2022

Worrying about personal matters…

A1: My biggest blocker when it comes to writing is worrying about finances. Ironically, not writing is the biggest blocker to my income. 😀#ContentChat https://t.co/LobUlLLzt2
— Kathryn Lang – hopesmith and dream ignitor (@Kathrynclang) July 25, 2022

Feeling like we need to write everything at once…

A1: My biggest blocker is feeling the need to write everything at once. I have so many stories I get blocked at organizing #contentchat
— Ares Marketing Group (@MarketingAres) July 25, 2022

Not knowing where to start…

A1: My biggest blocker when it comes to not writing is an angle or where to start! My favorite way to procrastinate is prioritizing non priorities #contentchat
— Nimble (@Nimble) July 25, 2022

“Needing” to conduct more prep work…

A1: My biggest procrastination point would for sure be feeling like I have to have everything fully figured out before I start. I give myself reasons to not start. #contentchat
— Diamond (@DRobinson520) July 25, 2022

Lacking sleep…

A1: Agree with earlier response — it’s having other to do’s that creep in & interfere…whether one is well rested makes the world of difference too. If I’ve had a good night’s sleep, I’ll take advantage and work on writing projects. Poor sleep is a writing killer! #ContentChat
— Caroline James (@CAZJAMES) July 25, 2022

Or simply finding the motivation to start.

A1: Inertia is often my biggest writing blocker. I simply have a hard time getting started and will wander my house, check the fridge, pet my dog, get the mail, etc. as a way to procrastinate. #ContentChat
— Alek Irvin (@AlekIrvin) July 25, 2022

Q2: When or how do you fit writing into your workday or workweek?

January 11, 2021 Content Chat Recap: Long-Form Writing Tips and Best Practices

January 12, 2021 by Alek Irvin Leave a Comment

Despite the prevalent misconception that audiences always prefer short and concise content, long-form content has a rightful place in your content marketing plan. Many audiences rely on deep-dive resources that can answer their questions, explain how they can work more efficiently, and provide a deeper analysis than can be achieved in a 500-word blog post.

In this #ContentChat, we’re joined by Chris Craft (@CraftWrites), co-founder of NeoLuxe Marketing and editor-in-chief of InspireFirst, to discuss how marketers can use the 3×3 writing process to accelerate the creation of long-form content. Read the full chat recap below, where we explain what the 3×3 writing process is, share tips to overcome the hurdles of writing long-form content, and discuss how to ensure your content meets its intended goals (from start to publish).

If you’re looking for more resources about how to navigate your content length, you can learn where shorter content fits into your content marketing strategy here, our double-down on in-depth content with these tips to make the most out of long-form content.

Q1: What is the 3×3 writing process, and why should marketers follow it when creating long-form content?

The 3×3 writing process is a framework to optimize your content creation. It has roots in academic writing, but can be applied to most content.

A1: The 3×3 writing process is a writing framework that helps writers get organized and produce well-researched content efficiently. I wrote about it here:https://t.co/UYFO6i5SVF #ContentChat
— Chris Craft (@CraftWrites) January 11, 2021

A1: The 3×3 writing process was mostly used for academic writing until I stumbled upon it and experimented with using it for crafting blog content. It has worked tremendously for our agency’s content and client content. #ContentChat
— Chris Craft (@CraftWrites) January 11, 2021

The writing process is designed to help you write higher quality content faster by following a specific set of steps. The community recommends that you revise your copy after you’ve finished the first draft, because editing as you go can bog down your creative process.

For me, 3 x 3 writing involves:
✔️ Besting with an ugly first draft
✔️ Rewriting the draft do you’re writing for the reader this time
✔️ Editing and finalizing things#ContentChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) January 11, 2021

It’s so important to get that initial draft done BEFORE you start revising/editing. I think the ease at which we can edit as we go often impedes the content creation process. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) January 11, 2021

Absoutely! It will ultimately create better content and save you time if you get everything out, rather than editing as you go. I think the same applies for editing — read through it, get the big picture first before diving into the details. #contentchat
— Melanie Graham (@WriterGirlMel) January 11, 2021

One editing caveat for your first draft: ensure that basic proofreading is complete before you dive into the next steps.

I agree with on caveat—sometimes as an editor you receive content that hasn’t had basic proofreading done before you got it in hand…in those scenarios, I often have to do that first so I can read it without that interfering with taking in the ideas. #ContentChat
— Erika Heald | Content Marketing Expert (@SFerika) January 11, 2021

Per Jennifer’s question, Step 3/Revise is ongoing, but you should focus on publishing content once it is finished (for the time being) and updating it at a later time.

Do you find that Step 3 is ongoing, due to optimization and performance? #ContentChat
— Jennifer L. Dawson (@JLDContentQueen) January 11, 2021

@JLDContentQueen – Yes, there is always room for improving the content. BUT, it shouldn’t keep you from shipping/publishing. The beauty of the web is that you can always update your content later. #ContentChat
— Chris Craft (@CraftWrites) January 11, 2021

Yess! 🙌 And lately, I’ve been trying to focus on one thing so I can hit publish: progress over perfection.
You don’t want to stop creating just because you can’t make the content perfect. #ContentChat
— Masooma | Content Writer (@inkandcopy) January 11, 2021